The government today decided to freeze the
introduction of Bt Brinjal in the country till independent scientific
studies established health and environment safety of the product to
the satisfaction of both public and experts.
“It is my duty to adopt a cautious,
precautionary and principle-based approach and impose a moratorium on
the release of Bt Brinjal till the time independent scientific studies
establish, to the satisfaction of both public and professionals, the
safety of the product from point of view of long-term impact on human
health and environment,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said here
today.
Ramesh said there was no overriding urgency to
introduce Bt Brinjal, especially when the public sentiment was
negative. “I will not impose a decision till such time independent
scientific studies established safety of the product on human health,”
he said.
While Ramesh chose to term the moratorium as an
independent decision, the fact remains that there was intense
opposition from within and outside the government on the commercial
cultivation of the genetically modified version of the vegetable.
“I have followed a democratic, often acrimonious
process. My conscience is clear. The aim is to establish trust,”
Ramesh stressed. He said he took the decision after holding
consultations with eminent scientists, including noted agriculture
scientist MS Swaminathan.
However, he added the decision was focused on Bt
Brinjal alone and did not concern the larger issue of genetic
engineering and biotechnology in agriculture. The current issue, he
said, was limited to what to do with the GEAC recommendation on the
commercialisation of Bt Brinjal, also making it clear that it applied
only to Bt Brinjal variety being developed by Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech,
Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and Dharwar-based University of
Agriculture Science and did not cover future of genetically modified
crops, be it lady’s finger, cabbage or rice.
Ramesh agreed it was a difficult decision
considering he had to balance many issues of science and society and
producer and consumer. He said he responded both to science and
society and followed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech in the
Indian Science Congress last month and now wanted the issue to be
discussed in Parliament and the National Development Council in
detail.
The decision comes after a series of public
consultations in seven cities across the country that largely saw
protests from the anti-Bt Brinjal lobby. A number of states had
opposed the introduction of Bt Brinjal.
The Environment Ministry had appointed a Genetic
Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) to regulate research, testing
and commercial release of genetically modified crops, foods and
organisms.
The GEAC, which cleared Bt Brinjal for
commercial release in October, said it would reduce farmers’
dependence on pesticides and enable higher yields. It announced
approval for large-scale field trials for Bt Brinjal in September 2007
with the possibility of commercialisation by 2009. It also cleared
proposals for bio-safety studies for other food crops such as lady’s
finger, rice, and tomatoes.
The point of view was supported by Science and
Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research Director-General Samir Brahmachari and Department
of Biotechnology Secretary MK Bhan, among others. They said Bt Brinjal
was safe for human consumption. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was
also in favour of Bt Brinjal
What is Bt Brinjal?
Bt
Brinjal is a genetically modified vegetable that is infused with
Cry1Ac gene from a bacterium, bacillus thuringiensis, to make the
plant resistant to fruit and shoot borers and certain pests.
Ramesh speak
-
I
will not impose any decision till independent scientific studies
establish safety of the product on human health.
-
I have followed a
democratic, often acrimonious process, and my conscience is clear.
The aim is to establish trust.
